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Attorney answers (3)
Reputation Level 20
Answered about 2 years ago.
Real Estate Attorney in Newport Beach, CA.
Don't do it. That is fraud and possible criminal violation. You can deal with issue before they release car or you can report them to your Bureau of Automotive Repairs or the Better Business bureau.
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Not a good idea as the other attorney stated. However, you could put the item on a credit card and then dispute the charge.
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Reputation Level 14
Answered about 2 years ago.
Bankruptcy Attorney in Louisville, KY.
I am not a Texas lawyer. In Kentucky, where I primarily practice, there is a small claims court available for low dollar amount cases. Most people filing in that court do not have attorneys because hiring an attorney would cost more than the recovery they are seeking. Deputy court clerks will assist people filing in that court with the process of filing out a form complaint, getting it served on the defendant, etc. Both parties are given a date to appear in court. They tell their stories to a judge, show the judge any evidence they have and present any witnesses who have come to testify. The judge then decides the case.
Texas appears to have a similar process. You can get more information from the Texas Bar Association -- they have a website page about the small claims process at http://tiny.cc/7UFIw. You can pay the bill under protest and then sue to recover the money (because they did not earn it). Good luck. Related Questions2 Attorney answers: 
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